Oasis program has young dancers daring to dream
Participants of the Street Dreams classes from Ipswich, Goodna, Forest Lake and Bundamba in QLD, after performing in a Flashmob at Riverlink Shopping Centre during the September / October School Holidays. (Photo supplied by Musicians Making a Difference.)
We … get the most positive, loving vibes … I bring two [kids] along and I’ve got two friends who bring their kids along and … all week they’re just saying, ‘when’s Thursday, when’s Street Dreams’ because they just cannot wait to get here. I just think this is the most excellent program ever put together!
– Nikki, parent of Street Dreams participant
It’s estimated that in its first year of operation, Street Dreams, run by The Salvation Army Oasis Youth Foundation and charity organisation Musicians Making A Difference (MMAD), will connect with 52,000 young people and their families throughout Sydney, the NSW Central Coast and Brisbane.
The program uses hip-hop dance to help address the issues that affect young people aged eight to 18.
Highly motivated and skilled professional dance instructors recruited by MMAD run weekly sessions in Salvation Army venues, with the program supported by Salvation Army youth workers and volunteers.
“Our vision is to create an inspirational environment where young people learn the importance of making great choices,” says program coordinator Dominic Brook. “We want to see very person have someone who believes in them and what is great about this is The Salvation Army and the youth workers are empowered to connect with all these families and kids.”
Dominic says the feedback from parents is already overwhelmingly positive and that “lives are being transformed”.
Ten-year-old Josh, from the Central Coast, has enthusiastically embraced Street Dreams. Recently, he knocked on doors in his neighbourhood and approached family and friends to raise more than $1200 for the program in a “danceath”.
His mum, Sara, says Josh lost his dad six years ago in a road accident. Counsellors had warned her that signs of stress could well manifest as Josh entered his pre-teen years.
At times, Josh “is very withdrawn … he finds it very hard to stand up and talk in front of people,” says Sara.
“[Street Dreams] has been amazing – it’s changing Joshua. There are a few younger ones, but most of them are teenage boys and he’ll stand up in front of them and talk. And then they will take turns in doing their favourite moves and stuff like that and he will get up and do it. The first time he did that I nearly broke down crying. It’s just such an up-building program.”
Dominic says mentoring is also an essential part of the program.
“We introduce a different topic each week and throw around questions like, ‘what does it take to achieve your dream’ or ‘what does it take to break a bad cycle’ and the kids are empowered to actually make the choices themselves,” he says.
“This term our theme is ‘pay it forward’ and so as a class we will work out different ways the children and young people can actually contribute to the wider community. We’re creating young world-changers at Street Dreams, and the parents seem equally inspired.”
Although the program is open to all faiths, with no discrimination, Dominic says it is also positively flowing into corps.
“We are starting to see kids perform at church and connecting with pastoral care,” he says.
“Street Dreams is starting to create community hubs of Salvation Army corps because all the kids are bringing their families and they are getting referred on to a number of other youth programs, camp programs, mothers’ groups, homework classes … and this is our aim.
“The Salvation Army is powerful in providing programs and support services for children, young people and families, and if MMAD can bring more people through the doors to access these services, we can contribute towards long-term community development.”
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